ALDE members visit Beijing to discuss anti-secession laws

12.00.00am GMT Tue 22nd Mar 2005

10 MEPs from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe arrived in China this week for a five-day visit to the People's Republic of China. Invited by the Chinese Communist Party, they are currently meeting up with key governmental leaders, EU diplomats and representatives of civil society.

The trip will wind up with a day long visit to Khazakhstan's capital, Almaty, where MEPs will meet up with opposition leaders from the Democratic Choice of Khazakhstan party and the EU ambassador. Led by ALDE Leader Graham WATSON, the delegation also includes Marielle De SARNEZ (ALDE Vice-President), Lapo PISTELLI (ALDE Vice-President), Dirk STERCKX (Chairman of the EP Delegation for relations with the People's Republic of China), and Ona JUKNEVICIENE (Chairwoman of the EP Delegation for relations with the Central Asia).

Amongst key meetings, ALDE Members met up with Foreign Minister of the Chinese Communist Party, Wang JIARUI and Li TIEYINNG, Vice Chairman of the National's People's Congress Standing Committee. Graham WATSON raised the issue of the anti-secession law that was recently adopted by the National People's Congress. He declared:

"Although some parts of the law are constructive, other parts explicitly indicate for the first time, that a non peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question is possible."

He insisted that this question remains a high concern amongst EU leaders that has notably been subject to "many discussions and interpretations in Europe". At the outcome of the meetings, Graham WATSON requested a "formal clarification of the provisions stated in the anti-secession law" in order to "shed light on its' real meaning".

During their visit, ALDE Members also participated in an ideological round-table debate on "Liberal democracy and Communism", with a group of Chinese scholars. Issues such as globalization, China's economic growth and EU-China trade relations were also discussed. Finally, the Delegation will be visiting Urumqui, capital of the Xinjiang region in the north-west of China on the 24th March. The aim of this visit will be to assess the conditions of the Muslim minority in the region, which has been subject to unrest in the past.